Self-Medicating: The gateway to drug misuse on college campuses

By Lina Woelk

[Prescription drug misuse is a common problem among college campuses.]

Prescription drug misuse is an issue that is plaguing college campuses across the United States. With over 10% of college students reporting that they have misused prescription drugs recently, the concern for these student’s health and well-being is extremely high. This raises the question: what can be done to stop this crisis?

At the University of Denver, John Seward, the Chairman of Emergency Medical Services, says that college is a very experimental time for students. This leaves students vulnerable and gives them the time to experiment with a lot of different things, including prescription drugs.

Seward says that students who may be misusing prescription drugs are usually not noticeable from a campus safety perspective. But he recognizes the dangers that come with prescription drug misuse, especially when students do not have access to the drugs they need anymore.

“If you become dependent on a stimulant medication, but it is a controlled medication, eventually you’ll run out and no longer have that prescription. Folks in that circumstance, it is not unlikely for them for turn to another drug that is similar…and I have definitely treated people suffering from a methamphetamine overdose,” Seward said.

Adderall is the most commonly misused drug on college campuses. This is because it is a stimulant, and students use it to enhance their ability to concentrate and get work done. This misuse can easily lead to further drug addiction problems, if not addressed.

The issue with acute drug misuse, specifically on the DU campus, is hard to identify since students are likely mixing drug misuse with other substances such as alcohol, Seward says. He also says that it is hard to tell if someone is suffering from a prescription drug problem, since generally students do not overdose on these drugs.

Genevieve Springsteen, a freshman at DU, worked as a pharmacy tech before she started college. She says that she has noticed that a lot of her classmates use prescription drugs, even when they do not have a prescription for them.

“I noticed that people are taking Adderall a lot. That’s like the main drug I can really think of. It’s really bad for campus health since it’s not something that random people without ADHD and stuff like that should be taking,” Springsteen said.

Prescription drug misuse is more common among college aged men according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Students are likely to turn to these drugs as a way to have fun, relieve stress, or by peer pressure- which Springsteen says has affected her.

“I have been at parties and things where guys will offer me Adderall even though I don’t want it, they always try to pressure me but like I wouldn’t take random drugs from people especially since fentanyl laced pills are like a big deal,” Springsteen said.

Seward agrees that students reach out to prescription drugs as a way to find relief from the stress that comes from being in college, especially since it is a new environment where students must be able to make decisions for themselves.

“Think about the culture surrounding college. Your decision-making abilities are not as developed since your brain is not fully developed… you are susceptible to peer pressure, you are more likely to be impulsive, and when you add mental health and stress issues on top of this, it becomes difficult,” Seward said.

Prescription drugs being shared among college students is not uncommon, and is usually the gateway for students to start using drugs that do not belong to them in the first 

place. According to the National Library of Medicine, students who are prescribed stimulants are often approached by their peers as a source of these medications, and often share them with those around them.

Kyle Moore, a student at the University of Wyoming, says that he has had friends who have bought or sold ADHD medication during their time in a college setting.

“There have been people I know who will ask me if I have Adderall, and some of my friends in classes will openly admit to buying it from their friends. It is really kind of a crazy thing, and it is also a little dangerous,” Moore said.

In another journal by the National Library of Medicine, approximately 60% of prescription drugs used by college students were obtained through their peers on campus who have a prescription for a stimulant drug.

“When students are struggling with the changes that come with college, they turn to their friends for support. And what is really easy for a friend to do is say ‘Oh well I take this medication, and it makes me feel better, you should try it.’ And that is one of the methods that is used for students to find prescription drugs,” Seward said.

While students mainly use prescription drugs to imitate focus and relieve stress, students will also use stimulants to keep them awake when going out and staying up late, so they won’t fall asleep.

This is extremely dangerous to college students’ health, since they are likely taking these drugs alongside alcohol- which can lead to a higher chance of getting alcohol poisoning, Seward says.

Carson McMahon, a student at DU, says that he has noticed people who take stimulants before they go out and socialize, primarily to help them stay awake. But he recognizes that this is a problem, and says that it can lead to bigger problems.

“I think that drug misuse is a huge problem that definitely could be fixed, because a lot of people are over prescribed drugs for no reason, and then they start abusing them which can lead to them using harder drugs and opiates. It’s also a problem because people who are prescribed this medicine can just give it out or sell it to their peers, which is like illegal… so I think that it is a huge problem,” McMahon said.

In the last three years, there has been a significant decline in the amount of college students who misuse prescription drugs, demonstrating that this crisis is slowly going away.

Seward says one of the biggest things students should do is be aware of what they are taking, and what the long term effects of it could be.

“Be conscious of what you do, and think about yourself and how you are feeling. For example, if you aren’t feeling great, if you are stressed or anxious, we as humans are very good at creating solutions to these problems. This often turns to self-medicating, which may make you feel better in the short term, but in the long run could be devastating. I encourage students to look for help before self-medicating,” Seward said.

While it is difficult to control this problem, there are plenty of resources for students who may be struggling. Seward says that if drug misuse is something that a student struggles with, they should reach out for the help that they may need- and agrees that students should be wary of what drugs they take.

“It is perfectly fine to reach out and say if you aren’t feeling that great- so turn to the experts, and maybe a medication is appropriate, but let’s prescribe this medication in a way where it is in a controlled setting… so, ask for help, recognize if your friends need help, and someone will be there to help you,” Seward said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with prescription drug misuse, please refer to this list of resources available to all students at the University of Denver.